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When I first learnt about the new Montecristo Open blend, the Regata was the one I wanted to try the most. I fell in love with the format (it's a shorter and thinner torpedo, basically) at first sight. Then bad reviews started pouring in and I also personally contributed by describing how the Montecristo Open Master didn't live up to my expectations. I was so disappointed that I called this blend "disappointment of the year" in my recent list of the best Cuban cigars of 2009.

However, I kept some Regatas in the humidor in order to revisit the blend a couple of month after its release and give it a second chance. This is precisely what I did this week. I took it out of the humidor and a quick inspection indicated that there were no visible flaws to the cigar. On the contrary, it looked quite good with its nice shiny wrapper and the double band. The smell was typical Cuban (sweet & sour), just like one would expect a Monte to smell like. So, it made me almost forget my bad experience with the Master and I was looking forward to a pleasant smoke. I clipped the cap and discovered a spicy pre-draw, which didn't surprise me much.

When I was done toasting the foot and took the first pulls, an aggressive spicy taste took over my palate. The smoke, not abundant at all, was dry and not exactly pleasing. As soon as the initial spice dissipated, plain woody flavors made their way in and I immediately recognized them... Open. Sighing loudly, I continued to smoke, wishing for a sudden change of pace but it never occurred. I quickly got bored with the cigar which, I must admit, was well-constructed. In order to salve my conscience, I lit another one the next day and it resulted in a pretty similar experience.

My conclusion is that, unfortunately, Montecristo Open defended its title of the "disappointment of the year".

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This post was written by Denis aka Inspector, who founded CigarInspector.com back in 2007. Click here for his latest articles and more information.

Methinks Inspector got lucky as I got unlucky and got one with no draw. I could actually feel that the rolling was too tight and no amount of playing would loosed it. Result – a bit of a Montecristo spiciness but no smoke at the business end. Perfect for doctors and oncologists. I have since found out that the shop these (Master and Regata) were purchased in is receiving a dodgy supply but no matter – they were recommended to my wife as a good Christmas gift for a cigar smoker. Thank God I had a couple of Edmundos put aside.

Anyway – fully second Inspectors assessment – these are little more than stage props for non-smokers as they would do little to encourage the beginner to venture further.

My local cigar specialist is of the opinion that these could be like the Edmundo – initially not great but they later hit on a winning blend – and reckons his current batch are far better than the earlier shipments. Best wait for others to review the later batches before committing again. There are far more reputable smokes available for the money. Maybe Montecristo could send out free tasting samples ???

I got a box of these Open Ragata from Puroexpress.com Everything looks legit but I don’t really like the taste of those. I don’t know if I got a box of fakes or it is just not that good! Anyone uses Puroexpress.com? I even ran the black light to get the seal, it does have the watermark on it…. Just the cigars don’t taste that great compare to other cubans I tried!

Hi, I received a box of Punch Double Coronas from Puro Express March 24,2010.I am a long time smoker of cuban cigars & bought a lot of my cigars everywhere I travel at La Casa del Habanos.The box that I got did not close properly & the cigas are have a slightly bigger ring gauge.The markings on the bottom are ink stamps instead of the depressed heat seals.The parch paper inside the box is smooth & should have a texture & the lettering should be felt when you run your fingers over them.Also the goverment seal is slightly off-color & again smooth to touch.The cigars are rolled with Cuban tobacco but are not “factory” issue.Do not be fooled by the cheap prices.These do not taste like the boxes of Punch double coronas that I have smoked. If any of these show on your order,then they are not legit. Dr N

Is it better than Dominicans, nicaraguans, etc.. Yes Is it close to an Edmundo…like walking from your house to Neptune… I got a box, first ones were ok, after some months in humi, got ok+, last ones just sitting there as “use in case of emergency” cigar. Get Edmundos, much better”

I’ll second the opinion that it is a horrible cigar. I tried them fresh out of the box, then I had a couple after keeping them for 2 months in the humi and then another two after 6 months in the humidor. The last 2 that I smoked where OK, but not nearly as good as the original Montecristo n. 2 even straight out of the box. Great looks, overly tight draw, blah taste. I gave away the rest, for life is too short to waste it on bad cigars.

Ok, I have resolved to give all the Open Series a shot and I want to continue with the Open Regatta here (I’ve posted on the Master):

Appearance and build quality both were very nice. The wrapper had a pleasant sheen to it and the pre light aroma was great.

I tend to use a punch for the end cap on my smokes and that was perhaps an error on this occasion, as the torpedo tip really needs to be cut a fair little way in.

The toast was easy, the burn ready and very even. A beautifully cool and smooth smoke with the cigar keeping together wonderfully (unlike the Master!). As I said, I’d used a punch and consequently not gone down the cap particularly far. As a result, the narrow opening dis get soggy and the draw became laborious. I used a knife to take another quarter inch off and everything got beautifully smooth again.

The flavour is actually quite uncomplicated. A little salty on the lips and some sweet notes coming through, but there was not a great deal going on and I kept looking to see if I was actually drawing anything in; I was, it’s just that it was a little bit bland.

Maybe ideal for a beginner or early afternoon smoke with a gentle drink. Definitely not a contender for a big after dinner event.

Oddly, I have found that the Tubos version of these are slightly better. Both the Master and Eagle were awesome out of the tubes. The box version however fell flat. I bought a box of the Masters and it was not the same cigar (yes it was a real box of cubans). It’s weird how some cigars out of the tube can differ so much from the box version.